Collapsible fifth wheel stand assemblies



June 15, ,1965 w. H. 'PETERSON 3,189,307

GOLLAPSIBLE FIFTH WHEEL STAND ASSEMBLIES Filed July 1o. 196s 5 s sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR 6o 58 w/LL/AM H. PETERSON BY 67 Cjgnd ll TTYS.

June15, 1965l w. H. PETERSON 3,189,307

' COLLAPSIBLE FIFTH WHEEL STAND sEMllES` Filed July 1o, 1963 l 5 sheets-sheet s Il 8 7 5 97 INVENTOR.

WILL/AM H. PETERSON BY United States Patent() 3,189,307 CLLAPSIBLE FIFTH WHEEL STAND ASSEMBUES Wiiiam H. Peterson, Homewood, lll., assigner to Pullman Incorporated, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 10, 1963, Ser. No. 294,042 18 (llantas. (Cl. 248-119) This invention relates to equipment for supporting lading on railway cars, and more particularly to new and improved fifth wheel stand assemblies for supporting a highway semi-trailer on a railway car, such as a flat car.

Recently, there has been a marked trend in the trucking industry to use railway cars to transport highway semitrailers on longer hauls. rThis kind of hauling is popularly known as piggyback hauling. A major factor in piggyback hauling as far as the efficiency and economy of such operation is concerned, is the time required for loading and unloading highway semi-trailers on railway flat cars. The most common method of loading semitrailers for piggyback hauling includes the steps of coupling .a number of flat cars -of the type adapted for lpigg back hauling, mounting bridge constructions between adjacent ends of such flat cars for providing continuous driving surfaces along the entire lengths of the coupled cars, driving a number of semi-trailers up =a .ramp provided at one of the end flat cars,`and then driving the semi-trailers along the flat cars to their designated locations thereon. .Flat cars adapted for piggyback hauling are provided with fifth wheel supporting structures for supporting the wheel-less ends of semi-trailers. Such supporting structures m-ust be capable of being lowered to clear the lowest depending portions of the semi-trailers to permit passage of the latter and tractors coupled thereto over the supporting structures during loading and unloading operations. Much of the time involved in loading semi-trailers on piggyback tiat cars is consumed in the operations of erecting such fifth wheel structures and connecting the semi-trailer king-pin to the fifth wheel structures. Likewise, much of the time involved in unloading semi-trailers from .piggyback fiat cars is consumed in the oper-ations of disconnecting the semi-trailer kingpin lfrom the fifth wheel structure and collapsing the latter.

As it is known to those skilled in the art, it is desirable to provide some form of shock dissipating cushioning means for cushioning impacts in buff or draft received by piggyback cars to prevent damage to the semi-trailer lading carried by the latter. In one type of piggyback car this is achieved by providing the car with coupler carrying, longitudinally continuous, sliding sill construction having cushioning means associated therewith for controlling relative movement between the sliding sill and the car in response to operational shocks in buff or draft. In another type of piggyback car not having cushioned, relatively movable, coupler supporting means, lading supporting means in the form of a longitudinally extending rack assembly is mounted on the car deck and is adapted for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally ofthe car. The rack assembly is associated with cushioning means for controlling its movement relative to the car in response to operational shocks in buff or draft. This invention concerns new and improved collapsible fifth wheel stand assemblies adapted to be used on either of the above mentioned types of cars.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved fifth wheel stand adapted for automatic locking engagement with a semi-trailer kingpin upon erection of the stand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fifth wheel stand `adapted to .be easily and quickly erected and collapsed.

Another object of the present invention is the provision ice of a fifth wheel stand having a relatively small height in the collapsed position thereof for affording unobstructed passage of tractors and semi-trailers over the fifth wheel stand.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a fifth wheel assembly uniquely associated with a cushion rack assembly for preventing damage to lading supported by the stand.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible fifth wheel stand of simple but extremely rugged construction for supporting substantial lading loads.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification wherein like numerals refer to similarparts throughout.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of one embodiment of the fifth wheel stand assembly of this invention mounted on the deck of a railway car and secured to a cushioned rack assembly, the king-pin engaging member of the stand being shown detached for better illustration of one aspect of the invention;

FIG. 1a is a side elevation of a railway iiat car having a highway semi-trailer supported thereon by the lifth wheel stand assembly of FIG. l; i

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken through the lower portion of the iifth wheel stand assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the king-pin engaging member of the fifth wheel stand assembly;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective of a modified form of iifth wheel stand assembly mounted on the deck of a railway car and secured to a cushioned rack assembly, the king-pin engaging member of the modified assembly being shown detached for better illustration of one aspect of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a horizontal section taken through the lower portion of the modified fifth wheel stand assembly of FIG. 6.

Briefly and by way of introduction, the fifth wheel stand assembly of this invention includes a king-pin engaging member supported on a vertically collapsible frame-like assembly which is supported on a deck portion of a railway car. The frame-like assembly includes two pairs of arms pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends but nearer their respective upper ends for .swinging movement in a vertical plane for erecting and collapsing the assembly.` The lower ends of one pair of arms are pivotally secured to a first base member extending transversely of the railway car, which first base member is :attached to the car. In the embodiment of the invention shown for purposes of illustration, this first base member is attached to the rail-way car by the medium of a cushioned rack assembly. In other words, this embodiment of the fifth wheel stand assembly is adapted for cushioned movement relative to the carin response to operational shocks in buffI or draft received by the latter to prevent damage .to semi-trailer lading supported by the assembly. The other pair of arms of the frame-like Iassembly have their lower ends pivotally secured to a second base .member which extends transversely of the railway car and is disposed in horizontal spaced relation from the iirst base member. The second base ymember is adapted for movement toward and away from the first base member for erecting and collapsing the frame assembly, and longitudinally extending means are provided on the railway car for confining or guiding movement of the second base member relative to the first base member. Screw means are provided for mov- Patented June 15, 1965iN '53 ing the second base member toward and away from the first base member for erecting and collapsing the stand assembly. The king-pin engaging member supported by the various arms of the stand assembly includes relatively movarble parts adapted for locking engagement with a semi-trailer king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other. The separate parts of the king-pin engaging member are suitably pivotally mounted to upper ends of the arms of the frame-like assembly for providing closing movement of the parts upon erection of the stand assembly and for providing opening of the parts upon lowering or collapsing of the stand assembly. By this construction, fthe king-pin engaging member automatically locks with a king-pin of a semi-trailer upon erection of the stand assembly, and the king-pin engaging member automatically unlocks from the king pin upon collapsing of the stand assembly.

Referring now to the drawings and especially FIGS. 1 through 5, an embodiment of the fifth wheel stand asembly, generally designated 10, shown for purposes of illustration, willbe seen to be mounted to one end of an elongated cushioned rack assembly 11, which rack assembly is of the type disclosed in the application of Jack W. Borger, Serial No. 159,543, filed December 15, 1961. The rack assembly shown in the Borger application is of the type adapted for cushioned support of lading supported either directly on the top `surface of the rack or by a fifth wheel stand secured to the rack depending on the type of lading. Rack assembly 11 may be specially designed to accommodate the fth wheel stand of this invention, and rack assembly 11 may be of less length than the Borger rack depending upon, among other things, whether it is desired to support container-type lading on the rack when the fifth wheel stand is collapsed. Rack assembly 111, which primarily includes a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending, channel beams 12 and 13, is mounted by suitable anti-friction means (not shown) and confining hold-down means (not shown) lon deck portion 14 of railway car 15 for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally of the railway car. Suitable cushioning means 17, preferably of the hydraulic type, is interposed between rack assembly 11 and car 15 for controlling relative movement therebetween in response t-o operational shocks in buff or draft received by the railway car. Cushioning means 17 has opposite ends thereof in engagement with pairs of stops 18 secured to beams 12 and 13 of the rack assembly and abutment members 19 secured to the railway car underframe. Cushioning means 17 is actuated between opposite pairs of stops and abutment members for dissipating shocks received by the railway in a manner well known in the art. Rack .assembly 11 and cushioning means 17 will not be described in detail as of themselves they form no part of the present invention.

-Fifth wheel stand assembly will be seen to include a first transversely extending base member Z1 which is rigidly secured, as by welding, to ends of beams 12 and 13. Base member 211 is provided at respective opposite ends thereof with rollers 22 and 23 (FIG. 2). Rollers 22 and 23 are adapted for rolling movement on the lower flanges of a pair of channel guides 24 and 25, respectively. Parallel guides Zd and 25 extend longitudinally of car and are secured to the deck portion thereof one on each side of rack assembly 11 adiacent one end thereof. The guide channels act to confine base member 21 for movement in a reciprocal path extending longi-tudinally of car 1S; guides 24 and 2S also act to confine movement of the rack assembly by virtue of the rigid connect-ion between the latter and base member 21. Base member 21 is provided with a pair of upwardly opening slots 27 and 28 for receiving lower ends of a pair of arms 29 and 30, respectively. Arms 29, 31B are pivotally mounted to base member Z1 by suitable pivot means (not shown) for swinging movement in a counterclockt wise direction (as seen from the right in FIG. l) from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

A second transversely extending base member 32 is disposed in horizontal spaced relation from base member 21 and has a pair of rollers 33 and 34 at respective opposite ends thereof. Rollers 33, 34 are adapted for roll* ing movement along the lower flanges of respective guides 24 and 25. Baise member 32 is provided with a pair of downwardly facing slots 3d and 3'7 for slidably receiving respective rack assembly beams 12 and 13. lt will be apparent that by the provision of slots 36 and 37 base member 32 is adapted for sliding movement relative to the rack assembly and longitudinally thereof. The rollers associated with base member 32 conne the latter for movement in a reciprocal path longitudinally of car 15 during movement of the base member relative to the rack assembly and during movement of the base member along with the rack assembly as when the latter is moved during dissipation of an impact shock. Base member 32 is also provided with a pair of upwardly facing slots 3S and 39 for receiving lower ends of a pair of arms It and 41, respectively. Arms di? and 41 are maintained in parallel laterally spaced relation by a web plate 42. Suitable pivot means (not shown) are provided in base member 32 pivotally mounting arms il and d1, which arms move together for swinging movement (in a clockwise direction as seen from the right in FIG. l) from the position illustrated in FIG. 1 to a generally horizontal position.

Arms 29 and 4G are pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends but near their upper ends by a pin L14. In like manner, arms 30 and d1 are pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends but nearer their upper ends by a pin 45. 1t will be apparent that by reason of the disposition of the base members and by the pivotal mounting of arms 29, 39 and 4f), 41, which forms a frame-like assembly, movement of base member 32 away from base member 21 will result in collapsing of the stand assembly, i.e., by this relative movement of the base members the various arms will be swung to their generally horizontal positions. Likewise, it will be apparent that by movement of base member 32 toward base mem-ber 21, arms 29, 3b and 4%, 41 will be moved to the positions illustrated in FIG. l for erection of the stand assembly. Means are provided for moving base member 32 relative to base member 2.1, or in other words, for moving base member 32 relative to the rack assembly.

As best seen in 2 and 3, such means are in the form of an elongated screw :t7 having one end thereof freely rotatably received in base member 32 by thrust bearing means (not shown) or the like. Preferably, such means are adapted to prevent axial movement of screw 47 to base member 32. Screw 47 is adapted for threading engagement with a bushing 43, which bushing is secured in one end of a tubular member 49 having the other end thereof rigidly secured to base member 21. It will be apparent that rotation of screw i7 will result in axial movement of the latter in or out of tubular member it@ depending on the direction of threads on the screw and bushing 48 for movement of base member 32 relative to base member 21. Rotation is imparted to screw 47 by means of a gear 47a secured to the end of the screw adjacent base member 32, which gear has teeth adapted for meshing engagement with a worm gear 50a supported on a rod itl. Rod 5b is journaled by a pair of sleeves 52 and 53 secured, as by welding, to base member 32. Rod 51B is provided with a driving stud 541 at one end thereof for engagement with a suitable tool, which tool may be a power tool, for providing rotation to rod 50. t should be apparent that rotation of rod Si) will result in rota* tion of screw 47 for imparting movement of base member 32 toward or away member 21, depending on the direction of rotation of the screw, for correspending erecting and collapsing of the stand assembly. A king-pin engaging member, generally designated 56,

is supported by the upper ends of arms 29, 30 and 40, 41. In FIG. l the king-pin engaging member is shown detached from lthe arms of the stand for better illustration of the invention; it will be understood that the king-pin engaging member is secured to the arms as a permanent part of the stand assembly. As best seen in FIG. 5, the king-pin engaging member includes two parts 57 and 58 adapted for telescoping sliding movement relative to each other. Part 57 includes a plate-like member having a generally V-shaped recess 59 at one end thereof and opposed flanges 60 and 61 along the sides thereof. Part 58 is in the form of a plate member having a V-shaped recess 63 in one end thereof, and plate 5S is laterally dimensioned to provide free sliding movement of opposite side marginal portions thereof within the flanges of part 57. Part S also includes a generally V-shaped pad plate 65, the upper surface of Which pad plate is co-planar with the upper surface of part 57. The inclined sides of pad plate 65 are parallel with the sides of V-shaped recess 59 and are adapted for abutting engagement with the latter upon sliding movement of parts 57 and 58 ytoward each other. Pad plate 65 is arcuately cut away at the apex thereof to conform to the curvature of V-shaped recess 63 at the apex of the latter. Part 57 is provided with a pair of co-axial apertured ear plates 66 and 67 depending from undersides of respective flanges 60 and 61. Similarly, part 58 is provided with a pair of co-axial apertured ear plates 68 and 69 depending from the underside thereof. Part 57 is pivotally secured to the upper ends of arms 46 and 41 by a pin 71 adapted to be received in an aperture in the upper end of arm 40 and in the aperture in ear plate 66 and by a second pin 72 adapted to be received in an aperture in the upper end of arm 41 and in the aperture in ear plate 67. In like manner, part 5S is pivotally secured to the upper ends of arms 29 and 30 by a first pin 73 adapted to be received in an aperture provided 4in the upper end of arm 29 and in the aperture in ear plate 68 and by a second pin 74 adapted to be received in an aperture in the upper end of arm 30 and in the aperture in ear plate 69.

It will be apparent that upon erection of the fifth wheel stand assembly by relative movement of the base members toward each other, the upper ends of arms 29, 3f) and the upper ends of arms 40, 41 will approach each other by reason of the pivotal connections 44, 45 intermediate the ends of the corresponding arms. As part 57 of the king-pin engaging member is pivotally secured to the upper ends of arms 40, 41, and as part 5S of the kingpin engaging member is pivotally secured to the upper ends of arms 29, 30, erection of the stand assembly results in telescoping sliding movement of parts 57 and 525 toward each other. It will be apparent that by reason of the construction just described, collapsing of the stand assembly will result in movement of king-pin engaging member parts 57, 58 away from each other. Parts 57 and 58 are provided with respective lengths for preventing separation of the parts when the stand is in its fully lowered or collapsed position. It will be understood that when the stand is in its fully collapsed position the king-pin engaging member rests on the upper flanges of beams 12 and 13 of the rack assembly for permitting unobstructed passage of semi-trailers and tractors over the stand assembly.

The operation of the fifth wheel stand assembly of FIGS. l through 5 is as follows:

The fifth wheel stand assembly is collapsed, and a highway semi-trailer, such as semi-trailer 80 illustrated in FIG. la, is positioned on deck portion 14 of flat car 15 by a tractor or the like. After semi-trailer 80 is positioned on the rail-way car (positioning of the semi-trailer on the railway car need not be precise as win oe explained hereinbelow), semi-trailer dolly $1 is lowered for engagement with the deck of the railway car, the king-pin assembly of the semi-trailer is disconnected from the tractor and the latter is driven away. The fifth Wheel stand assembly is now erected by rotation of rod 50 by means of a hand wrench, or by motor powered means such as a rotary power tool. As the stand is erected, upper planar surfaces of parts 57 and pad plate 65 engage the fifthV wheel plate on semi-trailer Si) thereby lifting dolly S1 from the deck of the fiat car for supporting the Wheelless end of the semi-trailer. Semi-trailer Sti need only be positioned on the railway car Vwith suiiicient accuracy for insuring that king-pin 82 of the semi-trailer (shownin phantom lines in FIGS. 4 and 5) is disposed between confronting V-shaped recesses 59 and 63 of respective king-.pin engaging parts 57 and 5S. As explained above, as the fifth wheel stand assembly is being erected parts 57 and 58 of the fifth wheel engaging member are moved toward each other by virtue of their pivotal engagement with the pivotally mounted arm-s of the st-and. Accordingly, complete erection of the stand assembly results in confronting apex portions of recesses 59 and 63 being brought into engage-ment w-ith the shank portion of kingpin S2 immediately above head portion 82a of the kingpin for locking engagement of the latter in king-pin engaging member 56. It wil-l be apparent that if kingpin S2 is not centered within the opening defined by confronting V-sh-aped recesses 59 and 63, ie., if semi-trailer 8f) has not been located in its exact position on car 15 either longitudinally or laterally thereof, king-pin S2 will be automatically centered and locked between the confronting apex portions of recesses 59 and 63 duringnal erect-ion of the fifth Wheel stand. If semi-trailer Sil is positioned on the railway car so that king-pin fifi is properly centered over the king-pin engaging member, there is little, i-f any, tendency of the stand `to move the semi-trailer during erection of the former as the upper planar surfaces of part 57 and pad plate 55 have respective, substantially equal in area, surfaces in engagement with the semi-trailer king-pin plate for balancing horizontal frictional forces developed between these surfaces and the undersurface of the king-pin plate.

As parts 5-7 and 5.8 of the king-.pin engaging member are positioned relative `to each other for locking engagement with 'a king-pin when the stand is in its fully erected position, in some instances it may be necessary to lower the wheel-less end of semi-trailer slightly by dolly 81 before king-pin engaging member 56 is brought into contact with the king-pin plate on the semi-trailer. This will provide a larger opening in member 56 when the same is contacted by the trailer king-pin plate thereby allowing easier positioning of the king-pin between the opposing V-shaped recesses; this will a'lso insure that opposing V- shaipe recess of parts 57 and 58 are sufficiently opened for accommodating head portion 82a of the king-'pin 82 as the upper planar surfaces of pant 57 and pad plate 65 are b-rought into engagement with the underside of the semitrailer king-:pin plate. the semi-trailer by dolly 81 does not materially increase the time required for engaging the semi-trailer kingpin with king-pin engaging member 56 as this lowering operation may 'be easily accomplished by hand in a manner of minutes.

A modified form of fifth wheel stand assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The modified stand assembly includes a first transversely extending base member $5 which is rigidly secured, as by welding, to the ends of beamsl-Z and 13 of a 4cushioned rack assembly (not shown). Base member 35 is provided at respective opposite ends thereof with rollers 86 and S7, which rollers a-re adapted for rolling movement on the lower flanges of channel guides 24 and 25, respectively. As explained above, guides 24 and 25 are rigidly secured to deck portion 14 of railway car 115. The guide channels act to confine base member 85 for movement in a reciprocal path extending longitudinally of car 15; guides 24 and Z5 also act to confine movement of the rack assembly adjacent base member 85 by virtue of the rigid connection between the latter and the rack assembly. Base Lowering of the wheel-less end of i sussen? member 35 is provided with a pair of upwardly opening slots 359 and 90 for receiving lower ends of a pair of arms 91 and 92, respectively, which arms are braced in laterally spaced-apart parallel relationship by a web plate 93. Arms 91 and 72 are pivotally mounted to base member 8S by suitable pivot means (not shown) for swinging movement in a clockwise direction (as seen from the right in FfG. 6) from the position illustrated in FIG. 6 to a horizontal position.

A second transversely extending base member 95' is disposed in horizontal spaced relation from base member 35 and has a pair of rollers 96, 97 at respective opposite ends thereof. Rollers 96, 97 are adapted for rolling movement along the lo*Y er flanges of respective guide channels 24, 25. The rollers associated with base member 95 confine the latter for movement in a reciprocal rectilinear path longitudinally of the car during movement of base member 9S relative to base member 85 (and the rack assembly) and during movement of base member 95 along with the rack assembly as when the latter is moved during dissipation of an impact shock. Base member 95 also includes a pair of upwardly facing slots 9d, 99 for receiving lower ends of a pair of arms 1121 and 102, respectively. Suitable pivot means (not shown) are provided in base member 95 for pivotally mounting arms 1111 and 1112 thereto, which arms move together for swinging movement (in a counterclockwise direction as seen from the right in FIG. 6) from the position illustrated in FG. 6 to a generally horizontal position.

Arms 91 and 1111 are pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends but nearer their upper ends by a pin 1113. `In like manner, arms 92 and 192 are pivotal-ly secured to each other intermediate their ends but near their upper ends by a pin 111e'. It will be apparent that by reason of the disposition of the base members and by the pivotal mounting of the arms 911, 92, and 191, 192, which arms forms a frame-like stand assembly, movement of base member 95 away from base member 8S will result in collapsing of the stand assembly, i.e., by relative movement of the base members the various arms will be swung to their generally horizontal positions. Like-wise, it will be apparent that by movement of base member 95 toward 'base member S5, arms 91, 22 and arms 1111, 192 will be moved to the position illustrated in FdG. 6 for erection of the stand assembly. Means are provided for moving base member 95 relative to base member 85 or in other words, for moving the base member 95 relative to the cushioned rack assemble' As best seen in FG. 7, such means are in the form of a pair of parallel, elongated screws 1116 and 1117 adapted for threading engagement in respective bushings 1113 and 109 secured in base member 35. Screws 166 and 1117 are rotatably and axially supported in base member 95 by a pair of thrust bearings (not shown). A pair of tubular members 11i) and 111 freely receive respective screws 1116 and 167, and tubular members 111D, 111 each have one end thereof secured to base member 95. The ends of the tubular members remote from base member 95 are adapted for abutting engagement with the inside face of base member S5 for acting as a stop to limit the extent of movement of base member 85 toward base member 9S. Screws 1116 and 167 are adapted for counter-rotation for providing movement of base member 95 relative to base member S5. it will be apparent that by virtue of the threading engagement between the screws and the threaded bushings in base member 85, rotation of the screws will result in relative movement between the base members depending on the direction of threads on the screws and bushings. Counter-rotating movement is imparted to screws 196, 1617 by means of a pair of gears 112 and 113, respectively, which gears are secured to the ends ofthe screws adjacent the outside face of base member 95. Gears 112, 113 have teeth adapted for meshing engagement with oppositely spiraled Worm gear portions 8 114 and 115, respectively, formed on a rod 116. Rod 116 is journaled in a sleeve 117, which sleeve is rigidly secured to base member 95, as by welding. Rod 116 is provided with a driving stud 113 at one end thereof for engagement by a suitable tool, which tool may be a power tool, for providing rotation of rod 116. It should be apparent that rotation of the rod will result in counterrotation of screws 1116, 167 for imparting movement of base member toward or away from base member 8S dependiru7 0n the direction of the rotation of the screws.

A king-pin engaging member, generally designated 121), is operatively supported on the upper ends of arm 91, 92 and 101, 162. In FG. 6 the king-pin engaging member illustrated is detached from the arms constituting the frames of the fifth wheel stand assembly. However, it will be understood that the king-pin engaging member `is always secured to the various arms (in a manner to be described hereinbelow) for forming a permanent part of the tifth Wheel stand assembly.

King-pin engaging member 121i, which is similar in construction to king-pin engaging member 56 described above, includes two parts 121 and 122 adapted for telescoping sliding movement relative to each other. Part 121 includes a plate like member having a generally V-Shaped recess 123 in one end thereof and opposed langes 12d along opposite sides thereof. Part 122 is in the form of a plate having a V-shaped recess 126, and part 122 is laterally dimensioned to provide free sliding movement of opposite side marginal portions thereof within flanges 124i of part 121. Part 122 includes a gener-ally V-shaped pad plate 127, which plate has its upper surface co-planar with the upper surface of part 121. The inclined sides of pad plate 127 are parallel with respective sides of the V-shaped recess 123 and are adapted for abutting engagement with the latter upon relative sliding movement of parts 121 and 122 toward each other. Pad plate 127 is arcuately cut away at the apex portion thereof to conform to the curvature of V-shaped recess 126 at the apex of the latter. Part 121 is provided with a pair of laterally'aligned lug plates 129 and 130 secured to the undersides of anges 124 of part 121. (In FIG. 6 lug plates 129 and 131) are shown as detached from part 121 for better illustration of the invention.) Lug plates 129 and 13@ are provided with respective aligned, elongated, horizontally disposed slots 131 and 132, which slots have upwardly extending detents 131:1 and 132e, respectively, in their inner ends. Part 121 is pivotally secured to the upper ends of arms 1111, 1112 by a pin 137 adapted to be received in an aperture in the upper end of arm 1111 and in slot 131 and by a second pin 138 adapted to be received in an aperture in the upper end of arm 102 and in slot 138. In like manner, part 122 is pivotally secured to the upper ends of arms 91, 92 by a rst pin 139 adapted to be received in an aperture provided in the upper end of arm 91 and in the aperture lin ear plate 134 and by a second pin 14@ adapted to be received in an aperture in the upper end of arm 92 and in the aperture in ear plate 13S.

It will be apparent that upon erection of the modified fth wheel stand by relative movement of the base members toward each other, the upper ends of arms 91, 92 and the upper ends of arms 161, 1132 wil-l approach each other by reason of the pivotal connections 103, 1M intermediate the ends of the corresponding arms. As part 121 of the king-pin engaging member is pivotally secured to the upper ends of arms 1111, 162, and as part 122 of the king-pin engaging member secured to the upper ends of arms 91, 92, erection of the stand assembly results in telescoping sliding movement of parts 121, 122 toward each other. It will be apparent that by reason of the construction just described, collapsing of the stand assembly will result in movement of the king-pin engaging parts 121 and 122 away from each other. Parts 121 and 122 are provided with respective lengths for preventing separation of the parts when the stand is in its fully lowered or collapsed position. It will be understood that when the stand is in its fully collapsed position, the king-pin engaging member rests on the upper surfaces of tubular members 111i and 111 for permitting unobstructed passage of semi-trailers and tractors over the stand assembly.

It is not believed necessary to describe operation of the modified fifth wheel stand assembly as the same operates in the same manner as the fifth wheel assembly of FIGS. 1 through 5. However, it should be pointed out that the elongated slots in lug plates 129 and 130` securedto kingpin engaging part 121 provided a lost motion means for preventing gathering or movement of parts 121 and 122 toward each other until the last phase of erection of the arms of the stand assembly. This delays closing of the king-pin engaging member upon erection of the stand for providing a larger opening in the king-pin engaging member between confronting V-shaped recesses in parts 12,1`

and 122 when the stand is in its lowered or semi-collapsed position for easier engagement of a king-pin in the kingpin engaging member. When the stand is fully erected, pins 137 and 138 are received in respective detents 131a .and 13261. This engagement of the pins in the detcnts causes immediate opening movement of member 12th when collapsing movement of the modified stand is initiated. It should also be pointed out that the modified fifth Wheel assembly is adapted to support substantial vertical loads by virtue of its rugged construction and by reason of the pairs of screws each of which is threadingly engageable with the bushings in base member S5.

It should be apparent that this invention provides a new and improved collapsible fifth wheel stand assembly of rugged construction which has means for automatic locking engagement with the king-pin of a highway semitrailer upon erection of the stand assembly. The fifth wheel assembly is adapted for easy and quick erection and locking engagement `of the stand assembly with a king-pin is accomplished simultaneously with the last phase of erection of the stand. Further, the fifth wheel assembly is adapted for mounting with a cushioned rack assembly for preventing damage to the lading supporting by the stand assembly. It will be realized that it is within the scope of the invention to mount two or more fifth wheel stand assemblies at spaced-apart points along rack assembly 11, depending of `course on the length of the rack assembly and the car on which it is operatively associated.

Also, it will be realized that it is within the scope of the invention to mount the collapsible fifth wheel stand on the deck of a fiat car not having a cushioned rack assembly. In such case, the stand might be mounted on the deck of a fiat car of the type having a cushioned, longitudinally continuous, coupler carrying sill. The fifth Wheel stand assembly may be mounted on such a railway car by rigidly securing ione of the base members to the deck of the car and providing longitudinally extending rails in the manner of beams 12 and 13 of the rack assembly or providing guides similar to the illustrated guides to confine the other base member `of the fth wheel stand for movement toward and away from the first mentioned base member.

While the invention has been shown in but one form it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not to be so limited,`but on the other hand it is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: o

1. A collapsible stand for a fifth wheel compris-ing, a king-pin engaging member Vincluding two, opposed, relatively movable parts slidable with each other for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, a frame assembly including two vertically collapsible arm means pivotally attached to each other intermediate their ends and having their upper ends pivotally mounting said movable parts, respectively, and actuator means lfor erecting the arm means whereby l@ upon erection of the latter said parts are moved toward each other for locking engagement with a king-pin.

2. A collapsible stand for a fifth wheel comprising, an elongated member, first arm means. having alower end thereof secured to said elongated member for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said elongated member, second arm means having a lower end thereof secured to slidingmeans for swinging movement in said plane, which sliding means is slidable ion said elongated member toward and away from said lower end of the first arm means, means for imparting sliding movement to said sliding means, said first and second arm means being pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends for being erected and collapsed upon corresponding movement of said sliding means toward and away from said lower end of the first arm means, a king-pin engaging member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, said parts being mounted on the upper ends of said arm means respectively, thereby to cause movement of said parts toward each other upon erection of said first and second arm means.

3. A collapsible stand for a fifth Wheel comprising, an

elongated member having a first laterally extending member secured thereto, first arm means having a lower end thereof secured to said first member for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said elongated member, a second laterally extending member slidable on said elongated member toward and away from said first member, second arm` means having a lower end thereof secured to said second member for swinging movement in said plane, means engageable with at least one of said first and second members for causing relative movement lbetween the latter, said first and second arm means being pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends, respectively, `for providing approaching movement of their respective upper ends upon movement of said first and second members toward each other, a kingpin receiving member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, one of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said rst arm means and the other of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said second arm means, whereby movement of said first and second members toward each other results in simultaneous erection of said first and second arm means and movement of said parts toward each other.

4. A collapsible stand for a fifth wheel comprising, first arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a first base member for swinging movement in a vertical plane, second arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a second base member for swinging movement in said vertical plane, which second base member is disposed in horizontal spaced relation from said first base member and adapted for movement toward and away from the latter for erecting and collapsing said stand, respectively, actuator means for moving said second base member relative to said first base member, said first and second arm means being pivotally secured to each other -intermediate their ends, respectively, for providing approaching movement `of their respective upper ends upon movement of the second base member toward the first base member, a king-pin engaging member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted 'for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, one of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said first arm means and the other of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said second arm means, whereby when said stand is erected by said actuator means said first and second parts are moved toward each other for locking engagement with a king-pin.

5. The structure according to claim `4' wherein said actuator means comprises elongated screw means having area-ao? ill opposite ends thereof in respective engagement with said first and second base members.

o. The structure according to claim 4 wherein said actuator means comprises a pair of juxtaposed, elongated, counter-rotating screw means having opposite ends thereof in respective engagement with said first and second base members.

7. The structure according to claim i further defined by the provision of lost motion means interposed between one of said parts and the associated arm means.

8. In a railway car of the type adapted for piggyback lading operation, a collapsible stand assembly for a nfth wheel comprising, iirst arm means secured at a lower` end thereof to a rst base member for swinging movement in a vertical plane, second arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a second base member for swinging movement in said vertical plane, which second base member is disposed in horizontal spaced relation from said first base member and adapted for relative movement toward and away from the latter for erecting and collapsing said stand, respectively, actuator means for moving said second base member relative to said first base member, means mounting said first base member n said railway car for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, cushioned means secured to said first base member for controlling relative movement between the latter and the car in response to operational shocks in buff or draft received by the car, said first and Second arm means being pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends, respectively, for providing approaching movement of their respective upper ends upon relative movement between the tirst and second base members, a king-pin engaging member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, one of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said first arm means and the other of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said second arm means, whereby when said stand is erected by said actuator means said first and second parts are moved toward each other for locking engagement with a king-pin.

9. In a railway car of the type adapted for piggyback lading operation, a collapsible stand assembly for a fifth wheel comprising, an elongated rack member mounted on a deck portion of said car for axial, relative, reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, cushioning means interposed between said rack member and said car for controlling relative movement between the former and the latter in response to operational shocks in bull or draft received by the car, rst arm means having a lower end thereof secured to said rack member for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the rack member, second arm means having the lower end thereof secured to sliding means for swinging movement in said plane, which sliding means is slidable on said rack member toward and away from said lower end of the first arm means, means for imparting sliding movement to said sliding means, said first and second arm means being pivotally secured to each other adjacent their upper ends for being erected and collapsed upon corresponding movement of said sliding means toward and away from said lower end of the first arm means, a king-pin engaging member including relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, and unlocking upon movement of the parts away from each other, means supporting said movable parts on said first and second arm means including means connecting at least one of said parts to one of said arm means remote from the pivotal connection of said arm means and beingV adapted to translate the swinging movement of said one arm means about the pivot connection during erecting and collapsing of the stand into locking and unlocking movement of said parts, respectively.

lid. ln a railway car of the type adapted for piggyback lading operation, a collapsible stand assembly for a fifth wheel comprising, an elongated rack member mounted on a deck portion of said car for axial, relative, reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, cushioning means interposed between said rack member and said car for controlling relative movement between the former and the latter in response to operational shocks in buff or draftV received by the car, a first laterally extending member secured to said rack member, rst arm means having a lower end thereof secured to said first member for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said rack member, a second laterally extending member slidable on said rack member toward and away from said rst member, second arm means having a lower end thereof secured to said second member for swinging movement in said plane, means engageable with said second member for sliding the latter relative to said first member, said first and second arm means being pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends, respectively, for providing approaching movement of their respective upper ends upon movement of said first and second members toward each other, a king-pin receiving member including, two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, one of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said first arm means and the other of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said second arm means, whereby movement of said first and second members toward each other results in simultaneous erection of said first and second arm means and movement of said parts toward each other.

1l. ln a railway car adapted for piggybank lading operation, a collapsible stand assembly for a fifth wheel comprising, a pair of laterally spaced-apart longitudinally extending guides secured to a deck portion of said car, first arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a rst base member for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of said car, which first base member extends transversely of said car and has respective opposite ends thereof in engagement with said guides for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, second arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a second base member for swinging movement in said vertical plane, which second base member extends transversely of said car in horizontal spaced relation from said first base member and has respective opposite ends thereof in engagement with said guides for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally of said car, actuator means engageable with both of said base members for causing relative movement therebetween, said first and second arm means being pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends, respectively, for providing approaching movement of their respective upper ends upon relative movement between the first and second base members, a kingpin engaging member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, one of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said first arm means and the other of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said second arm means, whereby when said stand is erected by said actuator means said first and second parts are moved toward each other for locking engagement with a king-pin, and cushioned means engageable with one of said base members for controlling relative movement between the latter and said car in response to operational shocks in buff and draft received by the car.

l2. In a railway car of the type adapted for piggyback lading operation, a collapsible stand assembly for a fifth wheel comprising, an elongated rack extending longitudinally of said car and supported on a deck portion of the latter for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, cushioning means operatively associated with said 13 rack for controlling relative movement between the latter and the car in response to operational shocks in buff and draft received by the car, first arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a first base rnernber for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the car, which first base member extends transversely of said car and is secured to said rack, second arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a second base member for swinging movement in said plane, which second base member extends transversely of said car in horizontal spaced relation from said first base member and is slidable on said rack, actuator means engageable with said second base member for sliding the latter relative to said rack,

t said first and second arm means being pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends for being erected and collapsed upon corresponding movement of the base members toward and away from each other, respectively, a king-pin engaging member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, said parts being pivotally mounted on the upper ends of said first and second arm means respectively, for causing movement of said parts toward each other upon erection of said arm means.

13. In a railway car of the type adapted for piggyback lading operation, a collapsible stand assembly for a fifth wheel comprising, an elongated rack extending longitudinally of said car and supported on a deck portion of the latter for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, cushioning means operatively associated with said rack for controlling relative movement between the latter and the ca-r in response to operational shocks in buff and draft received by the car, first arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a rst base member for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the car, which first base member extends transversely of said car and is secured to said rack, second arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a second base member for swinging movement in said plane, which second base member extends transversely of said car in horizontal spaced relation from said first base member and` is slidable on said rack, actuator means engageable with said second base member for causing sliding movement of the same relative to said rack, said arm means being pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends, respectively, for providing approaching movement of their respective upper ends upon movement of the base members toward eachother, a kingfp-in engaging member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, one of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said first arm means and the other of which parts is pivotally mounted .to the upper end of said :second yarm means, whereby movement of said base members toward each other results in simultaneous erection of said tlirst and ysecond yarm means and movement of said parts toward each other.

14. In a railway car of the type adapted for piggyback lading operation, a collapsible stand assembly for a fifth wheel comprising, an elongated rack extending longitudinally of said car and supported on a deck portion of the latter for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, cushioning means operatively associated ywith said rack for controlling relative movement between the latter and the car in response to operational shocks in buff and draft received by the car, a pair of longitudinally extending guides secured to said deck portion one on each side of said rack along at least a portion of the length of the latter, first arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a rst base member for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the car, which first base member extends transversely of said car and is secured to said rack, said first base member having respective opposite ends in engagement with said guides for conned reciprocal movement relative to said car longitudinally thereof, second arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a second base member for swinging movement in said plane, which second base member extends transversely of said car in horizontal spaced relation from said rst base member and is slidable on said rack, said second base member having respective opposite ends in engagement with said guides for confined reciprocal movement relative to said car and to said rack longitudinally thereof, actuator means engageable with said second base member for causing sliding movement of the same along said rack, said first and second arm means being pivotally sep cured to each other adjacent their upper ends `for being erected and collapsed upon corresponding relative movement of the base members toward and away from each other, respectively, a king-pin engaging member including relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, said member being mounted on the upper ends of said first and second arm means in a manner for causing movement of said parts toward each other upon erection of said arm means.

1-5. In la railway car of the type adapted for piggyback lading operation, `a collapsible stand -assembly for a fifth wheel comprising, an elongated -r-ack extending longitudinally of said car and supported on a deck portion of the latter for relative reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, cushioning means operatively associated with said rack for controlling relative movement between the latter and the car in response to operational shocks in buff and draft received by the car, first arm means secured at a lower end thereof to la first base member for swinging movement in a vertical plane extending longitudinally of the car, which lirst base member extends transversely of said car and is secured to said rack, said first base member having respective opposite ends` in engagement with said guides for confined reciprocal movement relative to said car longitudinally thereof, second `arm means secured at a lower end thereof to a second base member for swinging movement in said plane, which second base member extends transversely of said car in horizontal spaced relation from said first base member and is slidable on said rack, said second base member having respective opposite ends in engagement with -said guides for confined reciprocal movement relative to said car and to said rack longitudinally thereof, actuator means engageable with said second base member for causing sliding movement of the same along said rack, said first and second arm means being pivotally secured to each other intermediate their ends, respectively, for providing approaching movement of their respective upper ends upon relative movement of the base members toward each other, a kingpin engaging member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, one of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said first arm means and the other of which parts is pivotally mounted to the upper end of said second arm means, whereby movement of said base members toward each other results in erection of said first and second arm means and simultaneous movement of said parts toward each other.

lr6. dn a railway ycar lof the type adapted for piggyback lading operation, a collapsible stand assembly for ya fifth Wheel comprising, an elongated rack extending longitudinally yof said car and supported on Aa deck portion of the latter for reciprocal movement longitudinally of the car, cushioning means operatively associated with said rack for controlling relative movement between the latter and the car in response to operational shocks in 'buff and .draft received by the car, a pair of longitudinally extending gufides secured to said deck portion one on each side of said rack at least :along la portion of the length lof the latter, first larm means secuned .at -a lower end thereof to a first base member for swinging movement in la vertical plane extending longitudinally of the car, which ttirst bas-e member is secured to said rack and has annoso? respective opposite ends in engagement with said guides for coniined reciprocal movement relative to said car longitudinal-ly thereof, second larm means secured at a lower end thereof to a second base member for swinging movement in ,said plane, which second base member has respective opposite ends in engagement with said `guides for `confined reciprocal movement relative to sai-d ycar yand to said rack longitudinally thereof, :actuator means engageable with said second base member for causing sliding movement of the same :along said rack, said first and 'second :arm means being pivotally secured to each other adjacent their upper ends for `being erected and collapsed upon corresponding relative movement of fthe base members toward yand away `from each other, respectively, a king-pin engaging member including relatively movable parts adapted for locking engagement with .a king-pin upon movement of the parts toward each other, said member being mounted ron the upper ends of said rst and second arm means in a manner for causing movement of said parts toward each other upon erection of said arm means.

17. In `combination with a railway car of the type having a deck portion serving to support the road wheels of .a semi-trailer, .a collapsible stand for the fifth wheel of the .semi-trailer comprising, a king-pin engaging member including at least two, opposed, relativ-ely movable parts adapted for locking engagement with a king-.pin `of the iiftth wheel upon movement ofthe parts toward each other tand unlocking upon move-ment of the parts away from .each other, a vertically collapsible frame assembly including two arm means pivotally connected to each other 'by .a pivot connection, said .arm means being mounted on said deck portion with at least one of said arm means being movably mounted thereon and arranged .so that the pivot connection is elevated upon erection of the 30 frame assembly, means supporting said movable parts lon said frame :assembly including means connecting at l@ least one of said parts to one Eof said arm means remote fnom said pivot connection and `being adapted to transylate swinging movement of said one arm means `about the pivot connection during erecting fand collapsing of the frame .assembly vinto respective locking and unlocking movement of said parts.

18. In combination with a railway car of the type `having a deck portion serving to support the road wheels of a semi-trailer, a collapsible stand for the fifth wheel `of the semi-trailer comprising, la king-pin engaging member including two, opposed, relatively movable parts slidvably engageable with each other for locking engagement with the king-pin of the fifth wheel upon movement of Y the parts toward each other, a frame assembly including two vertically collapsible arm means pivotmly connected to each other intermediate their ends with their upper ends pivotally mounting said parts, respectively, means pivot-ally connecting the lower ends of said arm means on said deck portion including means also slidably mounting the lower end of one of said arm `means for relative movement to and away from the lower .end `of the other arm means, and actuator means for erecting both arm means lwhereby upon erection of the same said parts are moved toward each `other for locking engagement with the king-pin.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STA ES PATENTS 2,973,174 2/61 Stanwick et al. 248--119 3,041,028 6/62 McDowell 248-119 FOREIGN PATENTS 830,410 3/ 60 Great Britain.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner. 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE STAND FOR A FIFTH WHEEL COMPRISING, A KING-PIN ENGAGING MEMBER INCLUDING TWO, OPPOSED, RELATIVELY MOVABLE PARTS SLIDABLE WITH EACH OTHER FOR LOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH A KING-PIN UPON MOVEMENT OF THE PARTS TOWARD EACH OTHER, A FRAME ASSEMBLY INCLUDING TWO VERTICALLY COLLAPSIBLE ARM MEANS PIVOTALLY ATTACHED TO EACH OTHER INTERMEDIATE THEIR END AND HAVING THEIR UPPER ENDS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID MOVABLE PARTS, RESPECTIVELY, 